By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2014 – Russia continues to build up
along its border with Ukraine and has moved sophisticated weapons systems into
the country, the Pentagon press secretary said here today.
Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters that Russian military
forces are part of those movements. Russian forces are, “facilitating the
movement and then helping the separatists use the systems, if not using it
themselves in support of separatists,” he said.
NATO has released surveillance photos showing these assets
inside Ukraine. Kirby tied the Russian movements to the success that Ukraine
has had against Russian-backed separatists in the country. “We believe that
that has helped foster Moscow’s intention to intensify these efforts,” he said.
Kirby called Russian actions an “intensification” of the
behaviors the Kremlin has exhibited for months.
“Our position hasn't changed,” he said. “We continue to look
for ways to support the Ukrainian armed forces and the border guards. We
continue to look for ways to reassure our NATO allies and partners, and we
continue to call for Russia to pull its forces back and to stop escalating the
tension there.”
President Barack Obama addressed the issue yesterday during
a White House news conference. Russia has deliberately and repeatedly violated
the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, the president said. He
called on nations of the world to impose new sanctions against Russia.
“As a result of the actions Russia has already taken and the
major sanctions we’ve imposed with our European and international partners,
Russia is already more isolated than at any time since the end of the Cold
War,” the president said.
Obama said he would reaffirm U.S. commitment to the defense
of NATO allies and said he would speak with fellow NATO leaders at the summit
in the United Kingdom next week.
“We’ll focus on the additional steps we can take to ensure
the alliance remains prepared for any challenge,” he said.
Ukraine is not a NATO member, but the United States does
“stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them,” the president said.
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